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The Best Value 4K Monitors of 2017

Get stunning, ultra high definition visuals on a budget with these 4K monitors suitable for any purpose - whether for work or play

Do you need a 4K monitor? With four times the resolution of your average 1080p displays, 4K monitors significantly better for viewing and editing photos, playing games and watching and editing video. With prices falling rapidly, there’s never been a better time to invest in one!

The problem is 4K monitors range widely in price and capabilities. You can buy one for as little as £300 or fork out over well over £1000 for a display. It can be incredibly difficult to choose one that’ll provide the colour, brightness, refresh rate and response times needed for all your purposes.

We’ve put together a list of the best 4K monitors available for around £500 mark that’ll allow you to enjoy breathtaking visuals and won’t break the bank.

Immerse yourself even further in your favourite games with a 4K display

Before we begin, here are a few things you’ll need to consider before purchasing a 4K monitor:

– Ensure that your PC has suitable outputs that’ll be able to run a 4K monitor at 60hz. This’ll either be DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0.

– If you want a 4K monitor for gaming, you’ll need to check your graphics card is up to the task and supports UHD (Ultra High Definition)

If you’ve ever experienced screen tearing in a PC game, you know how annoying it can be. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) manufacturers Nvidia and AMD have stepped in to solve the problem of screen tearing and frame stuttering in demanding PC games with their own technologies. However, they each have their own solutions which are not compatible. You have monitors that have either G-Sync or FreeSync. Check which solution is built into the monitor before purchasing.

If you’re a gamer on a budget, the AOC U2879VF is the monitor for you.

Its 1ms response time and FreeSync compatibility which should ensure a smooth frame rate and help avoid those tearing effects which can be most off-putting, particularly in really fast games like shooters.

Like almost all Samsung monitors, the U24E590D looks good with its narrow bezel, elegant minimalist design and colour (it comes in black, grey and silver).

With 10-bit color and full sRGB spectrum coverage, the monitor provides a solid range of 1.07 billion colors and excellent saturation.It also offers great PC gaming connectivity, offering not only a DisplayPort 1.2 but also 2 HDMI 2.0 ports.

The U24E590D is a great and affordable choice for office work or home use.

The LG 27UD68P is a monitor built with gamers in mind. It immerses you into your favourite video games with LG’s ‘Game Mode’ that adjusts and optimises the settings according to what type of game you’re playing.

That, along with the FreeSync feature, mean that you’ll be able to play any high-end game without having to deal with any annoying screen tearing or stuttering.

The Viewsonic VG2860MHL has a few good practical features such as four USB ports on the right side of the monitor that are easy to access.

There’s also a DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort (which both support Ultra HD content at 60Hz), an HDMI 1.4a port (Full HD at 60Hz) and a DVI connector (2560×1600 at 60Hz).

The Viewsonic VG2860MHL comes with VESA support, meaning it can be mounted to any wall. There’s also a generous 130mm of height adjustment as well as an easy-to-swivel base. At the base there’s a small pocket which is perfect for storing desk items such as pens and small stationary. It’s a decent all-purpose 4K monitor, ideal for office usage.

The BL2420U is a brilliant monitor well suited for professionals and gamers.

The 4K resolution and excellent colour reproduction ensure photos look true to life and games look sharp. If you’re looking for a compact 4K monitor with plenty of extras, you can’t go wrong with the BL2420U.

G-Sync enabled monitors tend to be a bit pricier as Nvidia charges display manufacturers for using their proprietary technology. However, if you’re looking for a budget friendly monitor, you can’t go wrong with the Acer Predator XB281HK.

The build quality of this Acer model is excellent. If you’re a gamer, G-Sync helps you get the most out of your GPU with games looking crisp and stutter free. While this is a TN panel, colours come out looking bright and vivid. While there is some backlight bleeding, it’s barely noticeable.

The Acer Predator XB281HK will tick all the boxes of those looking for a 4K, G-Sync compatible monitor that won’t put a massive dent in your wallet.

The Shopomo editorial team writes our buying guides and reviews based on first-hand knowledge of the products featured and the marketplace they operate in. Shopomo makes a small commission on links to a retailer if a purchase is made but the final decision to feature a product, and how highly it is rated, is purely an editorial one.